Substack Now Supports Web Subscriptions on iOS

Substack Enables External Purchases on iOS App Store

The newsletter platform Substack is now utilizing a new feature within the U.S. App Store. This allows users to complete purchases outside of Apple’s standard in-app purchasing (IAP) system.

This change stems from modifications to the App Store’s policies enacted in May. These modifications were a direct result of the antitrust litigation brought against the tech company by Epic Games.

Adoption by Other Apps

Several prominent applications have already begun offering in-app links that redirect users to their websites for purchases. Examples include Spotify, Patreon, and the Amazon Kindle app.

For Substack, supporting external payment methods will provide benefits to both the company and its users. The company will avoid paying commission fees to the App Store on web-based sales, and consumers will gain access to potentially lower subscription costs.

Substack creators will now have the ability to present their audience with a choice. Readers can select the convenience of Apple’s IAP or utilize the new web payment option directly within the app.

Pricing and Creator Options

Substack will automatically adjust pricing within the iOS app to account for Apple’s fees. This ensures creators receive the same revenue as they would from a web subscription.

However, Substack writers retain the option to disable this automatic price adjustment if they prefer. The platform will continue to apply its standard 10% fee to web subscription revenue.

Billing Information Access

The company has also introduced “migration tools” for its writers. These tools are designed to facilitate access to billing information for subscriptions managed by Apple. They do not assist in migrating users between payment platforms.

Positive Early Results

Currently, over 30,000 publications on the platform have IAP enabled. Substack reports that initial testing of the expanded payment options has led to an increase in paid subscriptions.

Specific data regarding this increase has not been publicly released.

Implementation Details

The rollout of external payment options will initially apply to new Substack subscriptions only. Existing writers do not need to take any action unless they wish to adjust pricing for users utilizing Apple’s payment system.

It’s important to note that completely removing the option for IAP is not permitted under Apple’s App Store guidelines.

Future Expansion

While these changes are currently live in the U.S., Substack is still assessing the feasibility of implementing similar changes in the EU and U.K. These regions have more complex regulations regarding developers bypassing IAP.

This article was updated following publication to clarify the functionality of the migration tools.

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